Electronic device including movement based artifact removal and related methods

ABSTRACT

An electronic device may include a finger biometric sensor that includes an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels and processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry. The processing circuitry is capable of determining movement of a user&#39;s finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays, the movement causing artifacts in the image data, and, when movement of the user&#39;s finger is determined, remove the artifacts from the image data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of electronics, and, more particularly, to the field of finger sensors.

BACKGROUND

Fingerprint sensing and matching is a reliable and widely used technique for personal identification or verification. In particular, a common approach to fingerprint identification involves scanning a sample fingerprint or an image thereof and storing the image and/or unique characteristics of the fingerprint image. The characteristics of a sample fingerprint may be compared to information for reference fingerprints already in a database to determine proper identification of a person, such as for verification purposes.

A fingerprint sensor may be particularly advantageous for verification and/or authentication in an electronic device, and more particularly, a portable device, for example. Such a fingerprint sensor may be carried by the housing of a portable electronic device, for example, and may be sized to sense a fingerprint from a single-finger.

Where a fingerprint sensor is integrated into an electronic device or host device, for example, as noted above, it may be desirable to more quickly perform authentication, particularly while performing another task or an application on the electronic device. In other words, it may be particularly undesirable to have a user wait while a fingerprint is processed for authentication. Performing a fingerprint authentication with a reduced user delay and while maintaining a desired level of accuracy may be increasingly difficult when a fingerprint sensor is integrated in a host device, such as a personal computer or cellphone.

SUMMARY

An electronic device may include a finger biometric sensor that includes an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels. The finger biometric sensor also includes processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry and capable of determining movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays, the movement causing artifacts in the image data. The processing circuitry is also capable of, when movement of the user's finger is determined, removing the artifacts from the image data.

The electronic device may further include deblurring circuitry downstream from and coupled to the processing circuitry capable of generating finger image data representative of a deblurred finger image, for example. The processing circuitry may be capable of removing the artifacts by masking the sensing pixels associated with the artifacts.

The processing circuitry may be capable of determining movement of the user's finger by determining at least one discontinuity in the borders of adjacent electric field sensing pixels. The processing circuitry may determine the at least one discontinuity based upon a threshold difference of pixel values, for example.

The finger biometric sensor may also include drive circuitry coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels. The finger biometric sensor may also include a finger coupling electrode adjacent the array of electric field sensing pixels and coupled to the drive circuitry, for example.

A method aspect is directed to a method of removing artifacts from finger image data generated by a finger biometric sensor that includes an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels. The method may include using processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry to determine movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays. The movement causes artifacts in the image data. The method may also include using the processing circuitry to, when movement of the user's finger is determined, remove the artifacts from the image data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of a portion of the electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section of a portion of a dielectric layer covering the array of electric field sensing pixels in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5a is a blurred finger image caused by a dielectric layer, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5b is a deblurred finger image processed by the deblurring circuitry of the electronic device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a more detailed schematic block diagram of a portion of the electronic device in of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8a illustrates a portion of a blurred finger image processed according to a deblurring function in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8b illustrates a border portion of a blurred finger image processed according to a deblurring function in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 10a and 10b are portions of finger images prior to and after deblurring, but without artifact removal according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 11a and 11b are portions of finger images prior to and after deblurring, but without artifact removal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating the analysis of two pairs of rows along a border between two sub-arrays according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13a is an exemplary finger image having a relatively steep voltage gradient.

FIG. 13b is a graph illustrating the mean gray value per row for the finger image of FIG. 13 a.

FIG. 14 is a graph of mean row gradient value for a finger image with a relatively steep voltage gradient.

FIGS. 15a and 15b are each finger images including blockiness.

FIG. 16a is a finger image illustrating image variation across the image.

FIG. 16b is a graph illustrating the pixel value variation along a row of the finger image in FIG. 16 a.

FIG. 17 is a finger image illustrating partially-covered data.

FIG. 18a is finger image illustrating a score associated with a discontinuity determined according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18b is reduced size finger image of the finger image of FIG. 18 a.

FIG. 18c is a finger image illustrating masked pixels corresponding to the discontinuity of FIG. 18b in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 19a is a finger image illustrating border score correlation with an observed extend of a discontinuity determined according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19b is a finger image illustrating border score correlation with an observed extend of a discontinuity determined according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19c is a finger image illustrating border score correlation with an observed extent of a discontinuity determined according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of a method of removing artifacts from finger image data in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and numbers in increments of 100 refer to like elements in different embodiments.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, an electronic device 20 is now described. The electronic device 20 illustratively includes a portable housing 21 and a processor 22, for example a host processor, carried by the portable housing. The electronic device 20 is illustratively a mobile wireless communications device, for example, a cellular telephone. The electronic device 20 may be another type of electronic device, for example, a tablet computer, laptop computer, etc.

Wireless communications circuitry 25 (e.g. a wireless transceiver, cellular, WLAN Bluetooth, etc.) is also carried within the housing 21 and coupled to the processor 22. The wireless transceiver 25 cooperates with the processor 22 to perform at least one wireless communications function, for example, for voice and/or data. In some embodiments, the electronic device 20 may not include a wireless transceiver 25.

A display 23 is also carried by the portable housing 21 and is coupled to the processor 22. The display 23 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example, a touch screen display, or may be another type of display, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. A device memory 26 is also coupled to the processor 22.

A finger-operated user input device, illustratively in the form of a pushbutton switch 24, is also carried by the portable housing 21 and is coupled to the processor 22. The pushbutton switch 24 cooperates with the processor 22 to perform a device function in response to the pushbutton switch. For example, a device function may include a powering on or off of the electronic device 20, initiating communication via the wireless communications circuitry 25, and/or performing a menu function.

More particularly, with respect to a menu function, the processor 22 may change the display 23 to show a menu of available applications based upon pressing of the pushbutton switch 24. In other words, the pushbutton switch 24 may be a home switch or button, or key. Of course, other device functions may be performed based upon the pushbutton switch 24. In some embodiments, the finger-operated user input device may be a different type of finger-operated user input device, for example, forming part of a touch screen display. Other or additional finger-operated user input devices may be carried by the portable housing 21.

The electronic device 20 includes a finger biometric sensor 50, which may be in the form of one or more integrated circuits (ICs). The finger biometric sensor 50 includes an array of electric field sensing pixels 31 that are part of an IC carried by the pushbutton switch 24 to sense a user's finger 40 or an object placed adjacent the array of electric field sensing pixels. Each pixel 37 may be an electric field sensing pixel as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,526 to Setlak et al., for example, assigned to the present assignee, and the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

The finger biometric sensor 50 also includes image data output circuitry 51 coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels 31. The array of electric field sensing pixels 31 is carried by the pushbutton switch 24 so that when a user or object contacts and/or presses downward on the pushbutton switch, the image data output circuitry 51 cooperates with the array so that image data from the user's finger 40 is acquired, for example, finger image data for finger matching and/or spoof detection, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In other words, the array of electric field sensing pixels 31 may cooperate with the image data output circuitry 51 to be responsive to static contact or placement of the user's finger 40 or object. Of course, in other embodiments, for example, where the array of electric field sensing pixels 31 is not carried by a pushbutton switch, the array of electric field sensing pixels may cooperate with the image data output circuitry 51 to be responsive to sliding contact (i.e. a slide sensor), or responsive to static placement (i.e. a standalone static placement sensor).

Referring now additionally to FIG. 4, a dielectric layer 55 is over the array of electric field sensing pixels 31. The dielectric layer 55 may be a protective layer of dielectric material or for aesthetics, and, for example, in some embodiments, may be part of the display 23 and/or may also be carried by the pushbutton switch 24. It should be understood that the dielectric layer 55 is generally not a passivation layer when the finger biometric sensor 50 is in the form of an IC, for example.

The dielectric layer 55 causes an electric field diffusion. The electric field diffusion causes the image data output circuitry 51 to generate image data that corresponds to a blurred image. In other words, a finger image or fingerprint image generated from image data collected from the user's finger 40 is blurred, for example, as illustrated in the blurred finger image 56 in FIG. 5a . A blurred finger image may make it increasingly difficult to perform, for example, a matching operation, spoof detection operation, or other operation based upon the finger image. The electric field diffusion has a diffusion function associated therewith, for example, a Gaussian function.

The electronic device 20 also includes deblurring circuitry 34 coupled to the image data output circuitry 51. The deblurring circuitry 34 includes a deblurring processor 35 and memory 36 coupled thereto for storing the image data. The deblurring processor 35 is capable of processing the image data to produce processed image data representative of a deblurred finger image. For example, a deblurred finger image 57 processed by the deblurring circuitry 34 is illustrated in FIG. 5b . In particular, the deblurring processor 35 is capable of processing the image data to produce processed image data in accordance with a deblurring function based upon the diffusion function, for example, an inverse Gaussian function when the electric field diffusion has a Gaussian function associated therewith.

It should be understood that in some embodiments, the deblurring circuitry 34 may be part of or included in the processor 22. In other words, the functionality described herein with respect to the deblurring processor 35 may be performed by the processor 22, another processor, or shared between or among processors. Similarly, the memory 36 of the deblurring circuitry 34 may be shared with or included within the device memory 26.

In some embodiments, the dielectric layer 55 may have a non-uniform thickness. For example, the dielectric layer 55 may be curved, or the non-uniform thickness may be a result of manufacturing variances (FIG. 4) and may have a thickness that varies between 100 um-500 um. In particular, for a curved dielectric layer 55, the dielectric layer may have a first thickness d1 near the center while the ends may have a second thickness d2.

The deblurring processor 35 is capable of processing the image data to produce image data representative of the deblurred finger image based upon the non-uniform thickness. More particularly, the deblurring processor 35 may cooperate with the memory 36 to apply a deblurring function that is based also upon the thickness of the dielectric layer 55. For example, different coefficients of the deblurring function may be associated with different thicknesses of the dielectric layer 55 so that the variations of thickness across the dielectric layer are accounted for in a deblurring operation. Of course, the deblurring processor 35 may perform other or additional deblurring techniques to produce image data representative of the deblurred finger image based upon the non-uniform thickness. For example, a given one of multiple deblurring functions may be applied to a region of the array 31 as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, the deblurring processor 35 is capable of storing deblurring coefficients for the deblurring function. For example, the deblurring processor 35 may be capable of storing deblurring coefficients in the memory 36 based upon a plurality of fingerprint image simulations. The deblurring coefficients may be generated by the deblurring processor 35, the processor 22, and/or another processor, for example, that may be remote from the electronic device 20. The deblurring function may be heuristically derived, or a learning function may be performed with respect to the coefficients. The deblurring function may thus be attempted with different coefficients across fingerprint images to determine which coefficients result in increased deblurring of the generated image data. Additional techniques may be used for deblurring or reducing the electric field diffusion using an anisotropic dielectric layer, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,471 to Setlak et al. and assigned to the present assignee, and the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

The processor 22 may also cooperate with the array of electric field sensing pixels 31 to determine a finger match based upon finger biometric data. More particularly, the processor 22 may determine a finger match based upon enrollment data stored in the device memory 26. The processor 22 may also determine a live finger based upon spoof data. More particularly, the processor 22 may determine a live finger based upon a complex impedance and/or bulk impedance measurement.

In some embodiments, the processor 22 may cooperate with the array of electric field sensing pixels 31 to perform a navigation function, for example. Of course the processor 22 may cooperate with the array of electric field sensing pixels 31 and/or other circuitry to perform other or additional functions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The finger biometric sensor 50 also includes drive circuitry 44 coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels 31 and a finger coupling electrode 45 adjacent the array of electric field sensing pixels 31 and coupled to the drive circuitry. The array of electric field sensing pixels 31 cooperates with the drive circuitry 44 to couple the user's finger 40 to a reference and generate a detected signal based upon placement of the user's finger 40 adjacent the array of electric field sensing pixels, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Further details of example drive circuitry 44 and finger coupling electrode are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,679, to Setlak and assigned to the present assignees, and the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, additional noise or finger image compensation techniques may be used in conjunction with the deblurring circuitry 34.

A method aspect is directed to a finger biometric method that includes operating a finger biometric sensor 50 that includes an array of electric field sensing pixels 31 and image data output circuitry 51 coupled thereto. A dielectric layer 55 is over the array of electric field sensing pixels thereby causing electric field diffusion so that the image data output circuitry generates image data corresponding to a blurred finger image. The method includes processing the image data using deblurring circuitry 34 coupled to the image data output circuitry 51 to produce processed image data representative of a deblurred finger image.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for finger biometric processing aspect includes computer executable instructions capable of performing operations that may include operating a finger biometric sensor 50 that includes an array of electric field sensing pixels 31 and image data output circuitry 51 coupled thereto. A dielectric layer 55 is over the array of electric field sensing pixels 31 thereby causing electric field diffusion so that the image data output circuitry generates image data corresponding to a blurred finger image. The computer executable instructions are for also performing the operation processing the image data using deblurring circuitry 34 coupled to the image data output circuitry 51 to produce processed image data representative of a deblurred finger image.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-7, in another embodiment, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it may be desirable to process image data from sub-arrays 138 of the array of electric field sensing pixels 131, for example, for increased processing speed. When processing image data from each of the sub-arrays 138, a limited area of the blurred image is generally available, while a larger area of the original fingerprint image from the array 131 was blurred as a result of the dielectric layer 155, for example. Because a part of contextual information is missing from the limited area of the sub-arrays 138, the pixels 137 near image boundaries (e.g., borders of the array) or between adjacent sub-arrays, may not be easily and exactly reconstructed, even in absence of noise, for example. Additionally, a part of the image data for deblurring may be lost due to quantization (i.e. sampling and storage of pixel image data), buried by system noise, or affected by other artifacts (e.g. drive leakage).

To address this image data loss, it may be desirable to exploit prior information about the image data, for example, the finger image properties and the finger image formation model. Such prior information may include typical frequency range of features to recover, model of the blurring process (blurring kernel, frequency characteristics), model of noise, etc.

To address image boundaries, for example, at a border of the array, a classical approach would be to extend the image, and extrapolate the missing pixels using e.g. symmetric boundary conditions. However, deblurring with respect to an array of electric field finger sensing pixels generally differs from a classical deblurring application. For example, finger image data, e.g., fingerprint images, are a specific image category, wherein the frequency range of useful features is different from other image data types.

Additionally, the finger image area for finger biometric sensors may be relatively small compared to other imaging applications. For example, a finger biometric sensor may include an array of 88×88 electric field sensing pixel (500 dpi). Compared to the Gaussian blur sigma around 3 pixels for a 400 μm total dielectric layer thickness, and counting with a 3-sigma kernel for blurring/deblurring, 9 pixels around each finger image border may be considered as “boundary” pixels. In total, this represents more than one third of the electric field sensing pixels. For such a relatively small finger image, boundary conditions may become increasingly important, and classical techniques based on the assumption of “infinite” spatial extent (such as, for example, Fourier-based deconvolution techniques) become unusable.

Additionally, compared to other applications, a finger biometric sensor may have a relatively high level of noise. For example, for 300 μm ridge features, the expected signal-to-noise ratio may be around 0 dB.

The concavity, die warp, or non-parallelism of the array of electric field sensing pixels 131 versus the dielectric layer 155 over the array may lead to different blurring/deblurring kernels for different array positions. Drive leakage may also lead to different sensing characteristics near the finger image border or image data corresponding to a border of the array, or to exclusion of image regions. Without compensation, this may lead to an irregular finger image boundary.

Additionally, deblurring as it is applied to a finger biometric sensor may be subject to limited computational power. For example, the deblurring circuitry 134 may be included as part of or implemented within a secure processor that may perform other functions of a host device, for example, the electronic device 120. Thus, it may be desirable that any functions executed by the deblurring circuitry 134 be relatively simple for increased processing speed, for example.

To address the finger image data loss, deblurring circuitry 134 is used to process the image data from each of the sub-arrays 138. The deblurring circuitry 134 may process the image data from adjacent a border of the array 131 (i.e., a border sub-array) and/or from an internal sub-array that is spaced inwardly from the border of the array.

The array of electric field sensing pixels 131 has a diffusion function associated therewith. The electric field diffusion associated with the array 131 can be characterized by respective electric field diffusion functions for each of the sub-arrays 138.

The deblurring circuitry 134, and more particularly, the deblurring processor 135, processes the image data, for example, from each of the sub-arrays 138, which may include both border and internal sub-arrays, in accordance with respective deblurring functions for each of the sub-arrays and based upon the diffusion function. In other words, image data from each sub-array 138 is processed according to its respective diffusion function. This may address blurring at array positions caused by concavity, die warp, or non-parallelism of the array of electric field sensing pixels 131 versus the dielectric layer 155.

As noted above, the sub-arrays 138 may be along or may overlap a border of the array of electric field finger sensing pixels 131 (FIG. 7), and part of the image data or contextual information associated with the image data may be missing or lost along the border of the array 131. A sub-array 138, for example, for an 88×88 array of electric field sensing pixels, may be an 8×8 sub-array. A sub-array 138 may include a single pixel in some embodiments. Of course, a sub-array 138 may be another size.

Other techniques, for example, Wiener filtering, contrast enhancement filters, band-pass filtering, etc. have been attempted. In contrast to these other techniques, increased deblurring results were obtained when each diffusion function was estimated based upon a least squares problem or linear regression. To generate each deblurring function, pairs of reference images and simulated images are formed with blur, noise or other deformations. A deblurring function was attempted that reduces or minimizes the residual error between the original and reconstructed images, evaluated over a dataset of finger image data. This way, the prior information (e.g., fingerprint properties, blurring model, noise model, etc.) may be propagated into the design of each of the deblurring functions executed by the deblurring circuitry 134.

To further illustrate the problems associated with a finger image boundary (i.e., adjacent a border) as described above, image A represents a clean, original finger image, and image B represents a simulated finger image with all possible deformations (blur, noise, etc.). Both finger images are of the same size, for example, 88×88 pixels. A single pixel of the finger image A or the finger image B may be written as a(i,j), b(i,j), respectively. A rectangular area, extracted from the image B around pixel (i,j), may be denoted by b(i,j).

Let K(i,j) stand for the deblurring kernel or deblurring circuitry executing the deblurring function at position (i,j). The deblurring circuitry 134 may perform the deblurring functions as a convolution operation, for example, wherein a rectangular area of the image B is multiplied by the coefficients of K and summed to form a single pixel of the deblurred image D. To simplify notation, a matrix formulation may be used: the pixels of a rectangular finger image area, or the elements of the deblurring kernel or function, are concatenated to form a 1-dimensional column vector. Thus, the deblurring for position (i,j) may be written as: d(i,j)=K(i,j)^(T) ·b(i,j) where d(i,j) is a single output value, K and b are column vectors, and T represents the matrix transpose. In the following, the (i,j) coordinates are omitted with the understanding that a single location of the finger images only is still considered.

It may be desirable to find a deblurring kernel K or function so that the deblurred image D is as close as possible to the original clean finger image A. This can be formulated as a least squares problem, for example, where the residual error between the deblurred finger image and the original finger image may be reduced, summed over all finger images in the dataset. For a single location, the error norm becomes:

${E\left( {i,j} \right)} = {\sum\limits_{z}\left( {{K^{T} \cdot b_{z}} - a_{z}} \right)^{2}}$ where the index z runs over all finger images in the dataset and the deblurring kernel K is the same for all images.

This is a classical least squares problem, and the optimal kernel K may be obtained by solving the normal equation K ^(T) ·b·b ^(T) =b·a where, with a slight modification of notation, the products involving vectors b and image pixels a have been accumulated over all images from the dataset. Note that only a single position (i,j) of the finger image is still being considered. In this general formulation, each position in the finger image may lead to different kernel estimation, for example, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Referring now additionally to the illustrations 158 and 159 in FIGS. 8a and 8b , the kernel K is applied to an area of an image B (corresponding to a sub-array of the array of electric field finger sensing pixels), to obtain a single pixel that is equal to the pixel of the original image A (not shown). This relation is used to formulate the minimization problem and estimate the kernel K or deblurring function from the original-blurred image or sub-array.

For positions adjacent the border of the image or array 131 (FIG. 8b ), a part of the image pixels B are generally valid. Thus, a subset of deblurring coefficients for each deblurring function, or the deblurring kernel K, are to be estimated.

The estimation of the deblurring kernel or each deblurring function, including the deblurring coefficients, from the image data will now be described in further detail. The dimension of the deblurring kernel K or each deblurring function can be chosen, for example, to have a size between 5×5 and 15×15 pixels, centered around each image position. The kernel size may be indexed by the size from the center, k. A kernel size 15×15 corresponds to k=7.

For kernels or deblurring functions inside the finger image (i.e., not adjacent the boundary of the array 131 as illustrated the in FIG. 8a ), a kernel of (2k+1)×(2k+1) pixels has, in general, (2k+1)×(2k+1) deblurring coefficients. The number of deblurring coefficients may be reduced by making assumptions about the image data or kernel symmetry, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Also, a reduced number of coefficients near the border of the array 131 or finger image border may also be used with each deblurring function (FIG. 8b ).

To obtain an increasingly reliable estimate of the large number of deblurring coefficients, a relatively good number of training samples for the least square problem may be desired. Again, exploiting symmetries typically reduces the number of finger images or image data and also may reduce the risk of over-fitting.

In the normal equation above, the products b·b^(T) and b·a are accumulated from all images in the training set, separately for each position:

$\begin{matrix} {{X\left( {i,j} \right)} = {\sum\limits_{z}{{b_{z}\left( {i,j} \right)} \cdot {b_{z}\left( {i,j} \right)}^{T}}}} \\ {{Y\left( {i,j} \right)} = {\sum\limits_{z}{{b_{z}\left( {i,j} \right)} \cdot {a_{z}\left( {i,j} \right)}}}} \end{matrix}\quad$ For a single position (i,j), note that the dimension of the matrix X is [(2k+1)×(2k+1)]×[(2k+1)×(2k+1)]. For a 15×15 kernel or a deblurring function corresponding to a 15×15 sub-array (k=7), X is a 225×225 matrix. The column vector Y includes [(2k+1)×(2k+1)] values.

Using X and Y, the normal equations for kernel K can be rewritten into: K ^(T) ·X=Y In some embodiments, the kernel or deblurring function estimation may be an offline process, wherein such estimation or function may be simulated, for example, using a computer program, such as, for example, Matlab®. Of course, other programs may be used to solve such an equation or generate each deblurring function. The kernel for position (i,j) can then be obtained using matrix division: K ^(T) =Y/X.

Other circuitry or elements illustrated but not specifically described with respect to FIGS. 6-7 are similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 2-5 and require no further discussion herein. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, while applying the diffusion functions to each of the sub-arrays 138 may be particularly advantageous for deblurring a blurred finger image, the deblurring circuitry 134 using the deblurring functions may also be advantageous for reducing false positives with respect to finger matching and/or spoof detection. Moreover, by using sub-arrays 138 and applying a linear regression, a more accurate deblurred finger image may result, especially adjacent borders of the array 131.

A method aspect includes operating a finger biometric sensor 150 that includes an array of electric field sensing pixels 131 and image data output circuitry 151 coupled thereto. A dielectric layer 155 is over the array of electric field sensing pixels 131 thereby causing electric field diffusion so that the image data output circuitry 151 generates image data corresponding to a blurred finger image. The method also includes processing the image data using deblurring circuitry 134 coupled to the image data output circuitry 151 to produce, from each of a plurality of sub-arrays 138 of the array of electric field sensing pixels 131 each having a diffusion function associated with the electric field diffusion, and in accordance with a respective deblurring function associated with each diffusion function, processed image data representative of the deblurred finger image.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for finger biometric processing includes computer executable instructions capable of performing operations that may include operating a finger biometric sensor 150 that includes an array of electric field sensing pixels 131 and image data output circuitry 151 coupled thereto, and with a dielectric layer 155 over the array of electric field sensing pixels thereby causing electric field diffusion so that the image data output circuitry generates image data corresponding to a blurred finger image. The operations may also include processing the image data using deblurring circuitry 134 coupled to the image data output circuitry 151 to produce, from each of a plurality of sub-arrays 138 of the array of electric field sensing pixels each having a diffusion function associated with the electric field diffusion, and in accordance with a respective deblurring function associated with each diffusion function, processed image data representative of the deblurred finger image.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the above-described deblurring circuitry, while being particularly advantageous for reducing blur in finger images, may be affected by finger movement, particularly, in a static placement type finger biometric sensor. Thus, it may be desirable to detect motion, for example, of the user's finger upstream of the deblurring circuitry 234, so that the effects of the motion are not deblurred. Thus, by detecting the motion upstream of any deblurring, at least a partial finger image is able to be subsequently deblurred and used for matching or authentication.

A current approach to movement detection operates by sensing sub-arrays, for example, five, of the array of electric field sensing pixels. Processing circuitry compares before and after capture image data to determine whether movement exists. The number the sub-arrays used for the comparison may be limited by computational resources, for example. Additionally, those skilled in the art would understand that movement detection based upon sub-arrays or regions of the array of electric field sensing pixels may be subject to performance limitations, for example, some images capable of being matched may be rejected (false reject), and/or some images with movement artifacts can be accepted (false accept).

Accordingly, processing circuitry 261 that is coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels 231 may analyze image data representative of pre-deblurred images for detection of movement-induced artifacts, i.e., image data output from the array of electric field sensing pixels, but prior to being processed by the deblurring circuitry 234. Outputs of the finger biometric sensor-based and image-based detectors, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, may be combined to improve detection performance. If movement is detected, the processing circuitry 261 attempts to remove artifacts and proceeds to perform a matching or authentication function, for example, using the deblurring circuitry 234 and downstream circuitry and processing.

Further details of the removal of movement-induced image artifacts and the processing circuitry 261 thereof will now be described. For finger image data acquisition, the image data output circuitry 251 generates finger image data based upon small regions in the sensing area, such as, for example, sub-arrays 238, which are progressively sampled to acquire the image data that is used to construct a fingerprint image. The sub-arrays 238 are scanned in a raster fashion, typically left to right, top to bottom. Based upon the raster scanning patterns, any motion of the user's finger is likely to be manifested as horizontal discontinuities between consecutive rows of sensing regions, for example. Referring additionally to FIGS. 10a and 10b, and 11a and 11b , exemplary finger images showing horizontal discontinuities in the acquired finger image data (FIGS. 10a and 11a ), and in the corresponding deblurred images (FIGS. 10b and 11b ) are illustrated.

To address these horizontal discontinuities, the processing circuitry 261 analyzes two pairs of rows along the border between two sensing sub-arrays 238. Referring to FIG. 12, the differential characteristics of the pair (B,C) are compared with the differential characteristics of the pair (A,B), and (C,D). If the comparison determines that there are similar characteristics, then a discontinuity may not exist. However, if the comparison determines that there are dissimilar characteristics, a discontinuity likely exists. Intuitively, |B−C| is greater than either |A−B| or |C−D| if there is a discontinuity.

An exemplary discontinuity-detection algorithm that may be employed by the processing circuitry 261 is now described. First, ΔUV(x)=|U(x)−V(x)|. A discontinuity at column x is decided to exist if ΔBC(x) is a significant local maximum, quantified as follows: P(x)=ΔBC(x)−max(ΔAB(x),ΔCD(x))>τ A decision threshold τ is chosen to be adaptive to local statistics such that: τ=mean({ΔAB(x)}∪{ΔCD(x)}) The level of discontinuity between B and C is quantified as the sum of significant local maxima: S=ΣxP(x) The discontinuity between B and C is decided to exist if: S>κ The value of decision threshold κ is determined based on distributions of S for continuous and discontinuous borders.

Referring to the image in FIG. 13a and the graph 263 in FIG. 13b , an exemplary image was observed to have a relatively steep voltage gradient. The line 264 represents a mean gray value for an image with steep voltage gradient. For such images, discontinuities may be manifested as local minima instead of local maxima. This may be illustrated by looking at the difference between gray-value means for consecutive rows, as illustrated by the graph in FIG. 14. It can be observed that differences at border locations are local minima.

The scoring criterion may be modified to include both local maxima and minima. For example, significant local minimum at location x may be detected using the following criterion: Q(x)=min(ΔAB(x),ΔCD(x))−ΔBC(x)>τ The level of discontinuity between B and C is then quantified as the maximum of significant local maxima and minima: S=max(ΣxP(x),ΣxQ(x)) It is thus also possible to define the score as the sum of significant local maxima and minima: S=ΣxP(x)+ΣxQ(x)

So far, scoring captures only positive evidence based on significant local extrema. Scoring can also include negative evidence in the form of significant local “non-extrema”: R1(x)=ΔBC(x)−ΔAB(x)>τ and ΔBC(x)−ΔCD(x)<−τ R2(x)=ΔBC(x)−ΔAB(x)<−τ and ΔBC(x)−ΔCD(x)>τ R(x)=R1(x)+R2(x) Scoring can also include negative evidence in the form of significant local flat points: F(x)=|ΔBC(x)−ΔAB(x)|<=τ and |ΔBC(x)−ΔCD(x)|<=τ Thus, the final score may be defined as S=max(ΣxP(x),ΣxQ(x))−u(ΣxR(x))−v(ΣxF(x)) The values of constants u and v are chosen so as to increase or maximize detection performance, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Referring to the finger images in FIGS. 15a and 15b , some finger images have blockiness that may be introduced by calibration errors, pressure changes, etc. Blockiness may be largely reduced by deblurring, for example, as described above with respect to the deblurring circuitry 234, and thus, blockiness should generally not be considered as a discontinuity. One exemplary technique for reducing blockiness is as follows:

-   -   1. Input image, I, is mapped to a zero-mean image, Iz, with         blocking artifacts removed;     -   2. Detection algorithm is applied to images I and Iz to generate         scores S(I) and S(Iz), respectively; and     -   3. Final score is set as the minimum of S(I) and S(Iz), whereby         S=min(S(I), S(Iz)).         A zero-mean image Iz is defined as:         Iz=I−Im         where Im is the image generated by replacing every 1×8 window in         image I by its mean.

The significance of local extrema and non-extrema is proportional to the value of the decision threshold τ. To factor multiple levels of significance while still keeping calculations simple, the following may be performed:

-   -   1. The movement score is calculated for two thresholds, T and         τ/2, to generate scores S(τ) and S(τ/2); and     -   2. Final score is selected as the weighted sum of both scores,         where S_(final)=S(τ)+αS(τ/2).

Referring to the finger image in FIG. 16a and the corresponding graph in FIG. 16b , for some images, the statistics of image variation, as represented by the line 265, may significantly vary across the image. To reduce the above issue, the decision threshold T can be determined for every block of 8 pixels. For example, a maxima-detection equation is defined as follows: P(x)=ΔBC(x)−max(ΔAB(x),ΔCD(x))>τ(b(x)) where b(x) is the block containing x. τ(b(x)) can be made proportional to contrast in block b(x), defined as the average of horizontal and vertical gradients in b(x): τ(x)=kG(b(x)) where G(b(x)) is mean gradient in block b(x) and k is an empirically-chosen constant.

With respect to partially-covered finger image data, it has been found that the processing circuitry 261 may be less reliable with respect to non-contact regions or in the vicinity of non-contact regions. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the region bound by the rectangle 266 may be considered unreliable. Unreliable regions may not be considered in a score calculation.

With respect to noisy images, it has been found that noisy images can have many local extrema with frequent fluctuations between maxima and minima. This may result in high movement scores for noisy images and subsequently false detection of movement. Performance on noisy images can be significantly improved by adding a penalty term to the score depending on the amount of maxima-minima fluctuations. That is, for example, S _(final) =S−ηP where P depends on the number of maxima-minima transitions and n is an empirically-determined constant.

Referring to the finger image in FIG. 18a , subjectively, the last border in what may be considered to be a good quality image has a relatively significant discontinuity. An image based detection algorithm, for example, as executed by the processing circuitry 261 correctly detects this discontinuity with what may be considered a relatively high score (i.e., 54). Referring to the finger image in FIG. 18b , it may be sufficient to mask off the last few sub-arrays of the image in FIG. 18b (FIG. 18c ) and pass the image along for deblurring and matching, for example. Previously, using prior techniques, the entire image in FIG. 18b would have been discarded.

Referring now to the finger images in FIGS. 19a-19c , border scores correlate relatively well with the observed extent of the discontinuity. Illustratively, scores are relatively high for all images, for example, 312, 366, and 189.

Referring now to the flowchart 270, beginning at Block 272, a method aspect is directed to a method of removing artifacts from finger image data generated by a finger biometric sensor 250 that includes an array of electric field sensing pixels 231 and image data output circuitry 251 coupled thereto. The image data output circuitry 251 generates image data corresponding to a finger image, and based upon placement of a user's finger, for example, a static placement, adjacent the array of electric field sensing pixels 231. The method includes, at Block 274, using processing circuitry 261 to detect movement of the user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels 231, the movement causing artifacts in the finger image by comparing borders of adjacent sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels. The method includes, at Block 276, using the processing circuitry 261, when movement is detected, to remove the artifacts from the finger image, for example, by masking. The finger image with the artifacts removed may be sent upstream for matching, for example, or for other processing, for example, deblurring, at Block 278, before ending at Block 280.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a finger biometric sensor comprising an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels; and processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry and capable of determining movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays and by determining at least one discontinuity in the borders of adjacent electric field sensing pixels, the movement causing artifacts in the image data, and when movement of the user's finger is determined, removing the artifacts from the image data by masking the sensing pixels associated with the artifacts.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising deblurring circuitry downstream from and coupled to the processing circuitry capable of generating finger image data representative of a deblurred finger image.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry determines the at least one discontinuity based upon a threshold difference of pixel values.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the finger biometric sensor further comprises drive circuitry coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the finger biometric sensor comprises a finger coupling electrode adjacent the array of electric field sensing pixels and coupled to the drive circuitry.
 6. An electronic device comprising: a finger biometric sensor comprising an array of electric field sensing pixels, image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels, and drive circuitry coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels; processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry and capable of determining movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays and by determining at least one discontinuity in the borders of adjacent electric field sensing pixels, the movement causing artifacts in the image data, and when movement of the user's finger is determined, removing the artifacts from the image data by masking the sensing pixels associated with the artifacts; and deblurring circuitry downstream from and coupled to the processing circuitry capable of generating finger image data representative of a deblurred finger image.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry determines the at least one discontinuity based upon a threshold difference of pixel values.
 8. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the finger biometric sensor further comprises drive circuitry coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels.
 9. A method of removing artifacts from finger image data generated by a finger biometric sensor comprising an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels, the method comprising: using processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry to determine movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays and by determining at least one discontinuity in the borders of adjacent electric field sensing pixels, the movement causing artifacts in the image data, and when movement of the user's finger is determined, remove the artifacts from the image data by masking the sensing pixels associated with the artifacts.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising using deblurring circuitry downstream from and coupled to the processing circuitry to generate finger image data representative of a deblurred finger image.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the processing circuitry is used to determine the at least one discontinuity based upon a threshold difference of pixel values.
 12. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for removing artifacts from finger image data generated by a finger biometric sensor comprising an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels, the computer executable instructions causing processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry to perform operations comprising: determining movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays and by determining at least one discontinuity in the borders of adjacent electric field sensing pixels, the movement causing artifacts in the image data; and when movement of the user's finger is determined, remove the artifacts from the image data by masking the sensing pixels associated with the artifacts.
 13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the computer executable instructions cause deblurring circuitry downstream from and coupled to the processing circuitry to generate finger image data representative of a deblurred finger image.
 14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the computer executable instructions cause the processing circuitry to determine the at least one discontinuity based upon a threshold difference of pixel values.
 15. An electronic device comprising: a finger biometric sensor comprising an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels; and processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry and capable of determining movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays and by determining at least one discontinuity in the borders of adjacent electric field sensing pixels, the movement causing artifacts in the image data, and when movement of the user's finger is determined, removing the artifacts from the image data.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15, further comprising deblurring circuitry downstream from and coupled to the processing circuitry capable of generating finger image data representative of a deblurred finger image.
 17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the processing circuitry determines the at least one discontinuity based upon a threshold difference of pixel values.
 18. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the finger biometric sensor further comprises drive circuitry coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels.
 19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the finger biometric sensor comprises a finger coupling electrode adjacent the array of electric field sensing pixels and coupled to the drive circuitry.
 20. An electronic device comprising: a finger biometric sensor comprising an array of electric field sensing pixels, image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels, and drive circuitry coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels; processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry and capable of determining movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays and by determining at least one discontinuity in the borders of adjacent electric field sensing pixels, the movement causing artifacts in the image data, and when movement of the user's finger is determined, removing the artifacts from the image data; and deblurring circuitry downstream from and coupled to the processing circuitry capable of generating finger image data representative of a deblurred finger image.
 21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the processing circuitry determines the at least one discontinuity based upon a threshold difference of pixel values.
 22. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the finger biometric sensor further comprises drive circuitry coupled to the array of electric field sensing pixels.
 23. A method of removing artifacts from finger image data generated by a finger biometric sensor comprising an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels, the method comprising: using processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry to determine movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays and by determining at least one discontinuity in the borders of adjacent electric field sensing pixels, the movement causing artifacts in the image data, and when movement of the user's finger is determined, remove the artifacts from the image data.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising using deblurring circuitry downstream from and coupled to the processing circuitry to generate finger image data representative of a deblurred finger image.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the processing circuitry is used to determine the at least one discontinuity based upon a threshold difference of pixel values.
 26. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for removing artifacts from finger image data generated by a finger biometric sensor comprising an array of electric field sensing pixels and image data output circuitry coupled thereto and capable of outputting image data from a plurality of sub-arrays of the array of electric field sensing pixels, the computer executable instructions causing processing circuitry coupled to the image data output circuitry to perform operations comprising: determining movement of a user's finger across the array of electric field sensing pixels by comparing image data from borders of adjacent sub-arrays and by determining at least one discontinuity in the borders of adjacent electric field sensing pixels, the movement causing artifacts in the image data; and when movement of the user's finger is determined, remove the artifacts from the image data.
 27. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein the computer executable instructions cause deblurring circuitry downstream from and coupled to the processing circuitry to generate finger image data representative of a deblurred finger image.
 28. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 26, wherein the computer executable instructions cause the processing circuitry to determine the at least one discontinuity based upon a threshold difference of pixel values. 